Checking the lake level Truman Lake Missouri residents and visitors obsess over isn't just about reading a number on a gauge. It’s about knowing if you’re going to hit a stump with your prop or if the crappie are actually going to be where you think they are.
Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the pool elevation is sitting right around 705.2 feet.
For context, the "normal" mark—what the Army Corps of Engineers calls the top of the conservation pool—is 706 feet. So, we’re technically a little low, but in the grand scheme of Truman, a foot under is basically perfect. It means the Corps isn't dumping water like crazy through the dam, and the current in the river arms is manageable.
Why 706 Feet is the Magic Number
Truman is a different beast compared to its neighbor, Lake of the Ozarks. While people at "The Lake" worry about their docks floating away, Truman folks worry about navigation. Because this is a flood control lake, the level fluctuates wildly.
When the water hits 706, everything feels right. The ramps are easy to use. The parking lots aren't underwater. But once you start creeping up toward the flood pool—which tops out at a massive 739.6 feet—things get dicey fast.
Back in 2019, the lake shattered records by hitting 739.7 feet. At those levels, the lake surface area triples. You aren't just fishing a lake anymore; you're fishing a flooded forest.
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Current Snapshot: January 2026
- Elevation: ~705.23 feet
- Normal Pool: 706.0 feet
- Discharge: Roughly 350 to 1,000 cfs (cubic feet per second)
- Water Temp: Hovering between 38°F and 42°F
Honestly, the current discharge rate is what you should watch. If the Corps starts pushing 15,000+ cfs through the Truman Dam, the catfish bite in the tailwaters gets insane, but the lake itself starts to pull.
The "Stump" Factor: Navigating Low Water
If you’ve spent five minutes on Truman, you know about the trees. The Corps purposely left thousands of acres of standing timber when they flooded the valley. It's great for fish. It's a nightmare for lower units.
When the lake level Truman Lake Missouri boaters see drops below 704, those "safe" lanes in the Tebo or Pomme de Terre arms start to get real skinny.
You’ve gotta be careful. Even at 705, there are "floaters"—massive logs that have broken loose from the bottom—drifting just under the surface. If we get a big rain and the lake jumps three feet in a weekend, the debris field becomes a literal minefield.
How the Level Changes Your Fishing Strategy
Water level is the primary driver of fish behavior here.
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High Water (Above 708)
When the water rises, it pushes into the terrestrial vegetation. The bushes get flooded. Bass love this. They move out of the old creek channels and right into the thickest "junk" you can find. If the water is rising, fish shallow.
Falling Water
This is the kiss of death for some anglers, but it’s predictable. When the Corps opens the gates and the level starts dropping, fish get spooked. They back off the banks and head for the nearest drop-off or channel edge.
Winter Stability
In January, we usually see these stable, slightly low levels. This is "big blue cat" season. Because the level is stable at 705.2, the shad are bunched up in the deep holes near the bluffs. You’ll find the blues sitting right under them in 30 to 50 feet of water.
Real Talk on Lake Access
Right now, every major ramp is wide open.
- Bucksaw Marina: Fully functional.
- Long Shoal: No issues with the big ramps.
- Truman State Park: The docks are at a great height for loading.
If we were at 715 feet, I'd tell you to stay home unless you like launching your boat from the middle of a paved road. But at 705, you're golden.
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The Downstream Connection
You can't talk about Truman levels without mentioning Lake of the Ozarks. They are connected at the hip. If the Osage River downstream is already flooding, the Corps will hold water in Truman, letting our level rise to protect the folks in Osage Beach and Jefferson City.
It’s a balancing act. Sometimes Truman "takes one for the team" and stays high for weeks so the Missouri River can recede.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Before you hook up the trailer, don't just guess.
- Check the Hourly Gauge: The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) maintains a real-time gauge at the Harry S. Truman Dam at Warsaw. Check it the morning you leave.
- Watch the Inflow: Look at the "Inflow vs. Outflow" stats. If inflow is 20,000 and outflow is 500, the lake is going up fast.
- Adjust Your Colors: High water usually means muddy water. Switch to black/blue or "chartreuse everything." Low, stable water like we have now usually clears up, so natural shad patterns (silver/white) work better.
Stay safe out there. Truman is a big, beautiful, sometimes mean lake. Respect the timber, watch the gauge, and keep an eye on those winter winds.
Pro Tip: Download the "USACE Little Rock" or "Kansas City District" water level apps. They give you the "Rule Curve" which shows you where the lake is supposed to be vs. where it actually is.
Next Step: Head over to the USGS National Water Dashboard and bookmark the Warsaw station (06922440) for a live feed of the gage height before you hit the road.